So you have an appetite for blogging? You’re ready to jump in and get going. You’ve had the important conversation to prove you are ready. You know the one I’m talking about, it goes like this.
“I’m going to be a blogger?”
“Really? Do you know how to do that? You do know that it’s pretty hard to do to be successful, don’t you?”
“Sure, um…well I watched a video on how to start one in 10 minutes, so yeah, um…it looks easy, peasy, so yeah, I know how!?”
“Do you know what you’re going to write about?”
“Um, yeah, kind of, I’ve been dipping my head into a few ideas along this ______, and I think decided I’m going to write about __________.”
“Wow, that’s cool, are you an expert in that? What if you come up against a wall and run out of ideas about that?”
“Well, no, I’m not an expert…! BUT, I’m passionate about it…I’ve always loved ______. It’ll be fine, it’ll all work out, I’m excited, don’t be a Debbie Downer for me.”
“Ah, I see, that’s nice, good luck with that. Let me know how it goes…”
And the newbie blogger is off and running. Friendless at first. But anxious, to run free and share their thoughts with the world.
At first, it seems like it goes fairly smoothly. That is after months of trying to figure out the blog settings, etc. Or maybe they clicked launched fearlessly before they were ready, and then felt all alone, landing occasionally on an idea, yet, not sure where to turn next?
I did that. Super excited to get started and ready to climb the proverbial stairs of success in the blogging world. I was ready to call myself a blogger.
I fought hard with my blog startup, finally got it ready, and I clicked to launch it.
I was going to write blog posts. Yes, I was.
I convinced myself that being a blogger was what would nourish my soul.
I was ready to dig in, and have my cake steak and eat it too. (Two…not just one…but two common sayings, way to be original, eh? Doing so, by the way, it a surefire way to lose a person’s interest in your blog post. BUT…please, don’t leave yet, stick around, the best tips are yet to come…at the bottom of the post!)
I pushed aside distractions, (mostly)…but kept the trusty ones close by, you know just in case I needed wanted deserved to be distracted. Finding out what others were doing, saying Hi, and you know, sipping the nectar of sweet success with others in pursuit of social media happiness…(oh, my gosh…it’s getting thick now…!)
I toasted the success of publishing the first post. Ah…
And then, it got harder…not easier to keep going as a blogger. I wasn’t soaring as fast as I wanted to. I felt so small.
I was disenchanted as my head floated around with so many ideas going in different directions. Checking out challenges, word prompts, following other blogs. Not knowing what was proper etiquette. Do I follow first, or do they follow me, what way do I turn? Yikes, it was messy! Way too messy for me to function.
I had taken too big of a bite into the nuances of the blogging world, way too soon. And I needed to re-focus on the fundamentals of what I really wanted for my blog.
That’s when I came across the best tip (so far) for those who want to be a blogger.
Me: “Just like when you’re presented with a mouth-watering steak, it is best not to take on too big of a bite at a time. Slow down, enjoy each one. A good blog is created one bite step at a time, enjoy each and every bite step and your blog will be awesome!”
I asked a couple of my favorite bloggers what is their best advice for new bloggers? Here are their hot tips (please do check out their blogs, they’ve learned the true value and enjoyment of blogging, they inspire me every time I read their blogs!)
Denny at The Ceaseless Reader Writes says, “The only thing I would add is: if you have followed a Blogger for a period of time, and you’re increasingly realizing that you consistently do not like that Blogger’s posts and especially if you find yourself wanting to respond to them with unsympathetic or unsupportive comments, don’t be afraid to stop following them.
One of my most strongly held beliefs/guiding principles is, “Life is too short for (or to)…” For example, books. I have precious little free time and LOVE to read. If I start a book and am having trouble getting into it or find myself thinking, after every few pages, maybe it’ll get better soon, it’s time to drop it like a hot potato. Same thing with blogs.”
And John at The Sound of One Hand Typing says, “Write what you like and like what you write. If you don’t like what you write, few others will.”
Thank you, Denny and John, for sharing your thoughts! And thank you, Nancy, for the fun photo prompt for the week!
Post inspiration – #MyBlogMyWritingStyle 30-day blogging challenge (rules here) today’s word prompt – Best and the question of the day, “What is the best tip you’ve come across for new bloggers?” and Photography Challenge today thanks to the inspiration from Nancy Merrill – Ready, Set, Action!
PS – If you’re a new blogger, what tip have you found valuable? If you’re an experienced blogger, what is your best tip? How about photography bloggers, what is the best tip you have for newbie photography bloggers?
A good read Shelley. I was going to write about all sorts of stuff but everyone wanted to see more photos so the writing went out and the photos are my thing. Always be ready to change, follow your heart and passion. Listen to what others say in comments (except the spammers) and some days you will be happy, others wonder why no one liked what you have done. Did a cat steal the steak while you were distracted?
Thank you, Brian. You’ve shared excellent advice. You’ve done a great job finding what you’re most interested in sharing on your blog. Your photos are inspiring to me! Nah…I got to enjoy the WHOLE steak, just forgot to take an after shot of the plate! 🙂
<3
Thank you Shelley for an encouraging post. I think the best advice I got (don’t remember from who) is to stay true to self. And as john said, if we don’t like what we write, other won’t either.
You’re welcome! Yes, you’re right – both thoughts are great advice. 🙂
Oh I LOVE this. And I really hope lots of new folks read it. Very helpful and so creative!!
Thank you, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Oh I love this. I think it will help a lot of new bloggers, but mostly I love your creativity!
OK I’m not sure what’s happening but I’ve tried posting a thank you three times but it keeps disappearing…
It is just my slowness in responding – I got all three messages – thank you for your devotion to make sure your thoughts came through!!
Oh good. It showed up on my end as not having gone through at all.
I do love how creative you are.
Yay! Aw, thank you, I appreciate your words of encouragement!! You’re darn creative too, love all the photos on your blog!
Great Post Shelley! Love the inspiration, and great advice mixed in with your witty writing style and the photos. Loved the staircase. I don’t know what a successful blogger is..I guess it depends on ones personal goal. I use my blog as an online journal of sorts and am actually surprised I have any followers at all. It’s nice to get feedback and have flowing conversations, and I’d love more of that, but most of the time I get a few “likes” so thank you for your comment. I think your blog is really latex out nicely and your topics will draw a crowd! Happy Blogging!
Maggie
Aw, thank you, Maggie! I appreciate your kind words of encouragement and I’m so glad that you stopped by to say “Hi”! Your blog and your artwork WILL draw followers, it just takes time and patience and perseverance. No different than drawing, remember the first drawings…it felt awkward, and yet fascinating at the same time. You’re right on target to use your blog as a journal and to be friendly to everyone who stops by to chat with you – most of all be true to yourself and your own voice, if you love your own words, others will love them too!! Happy Blogging to you, too! 🙂
Excellent way to throw your tips into this story 🙂
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http://www.areweadultsyet.com
Thank you, I appreciate your read and your feedback!
Great read Shelly! The photo of the cat on the stairway cracked me up. I immediately thought: that cat is saying “Gee Mom, I thought you’d land on your feet.”
Thank you! She’s a character, that’s for sure. She loved to play on those stairs!
Very sound advice from other bloggers. I have a writing blog that I haven’t posted to for a couple of years because my interest switched from writing to photography. Every now and then, I think I should do a post just to keep my fingers in writing (I have a degree in English), but when I sit down to do it, I really want to be up taking pictures. Sad but true. 🙂 Wonderful post, and I love all of the animal action shots. Well done! Thanks for joining the challenge!
Thank you, Nancy! I love your advice and your feedback regarding blogging. You’ve found your gifts in photography, speaking through photos is a special way to use the language you studied! 😉 Thank you for the opportunity to play along with the challenge!
Shelley, your blog should be required reading for new bloggers. Your tips are so helpful and encouraging. They address real concerns that bloggers have. I can’t tell you how glad I am to have found your blog!
Aw, Laurie, I’m so touched by your words – I’m glad you’ve found the information valuable! I’m glad you found my blog, and I’m thankful you share your feedback – it means a lot to me!!